[Beewyched]

Wow Ellie, your chucks are so going to love it - it'll be a great view from your "office" however will you get any work done? 

Annie - I totally agree with you.  We got a similar house online - was advertised for 12 - think they meant quails!  Personally i'd never keep more than 6 in it, even if they were free-ranging all day.  I use mine for the young ones, after they've come off the heat (with a home-built run) until they're big enough to contend with the main flock. Good luck with the dog show - sounds like they're getting their "monies worth" out of you this weekend 

[CameronS]

Just a note - with the extremes of weather we have suffered, it may be beneficial to weigh it down, or anchor it to the floor. i have the one down from you as a  broody hut and it go blown over and away across the garden destroying the eggs being sat on and injuring the hen

[ellied]

Well we worked away today and I reckon we're done . Didn't go for panels in the end just a 2 layer/storey permanent fence and a gate on.

Might be ready by Sunday or early next week - would I be best to wait for the batts before bringing pullets in or would a week or two between arrivals not matter?

[doganjo]

You might be better to have the ex batts first for a couple of weeks to let them recover from their trauma and maybe grow a few feathers.  However, I know how keen you are to get started and I haven't heard from Jim yet.  I usually keep ny ex batts separate from the others for a while anyway.  A sort of quarantine.  Anyoen else got ideas on this?

[ellied]

Well here we are, the door, the netting, a complete but empty chicken run   One bit of the netting had to be rolled under the overhanging weeping cherry so it looks a bit strange but I couldn't think what else to do, cutting it and nailing it to the tree didn't seem an answer..  I guess if a cat or fox gets in that will be how, but it's as good as I could do it for a first time and no doubt there will be a v.2 one day

[doganjo]

Looks brilliant, look forward to seeing it when we get chooks for you!

[Hatty]

I paid £15 each for our POL lavender Aruacanas, and £5 each for Ex-bats from BHWT they have never missed a day (except when moulting) and watching the bats go from oven ready  to lovely feathered birds was a real treat

[doganjo]

I paid £15 each for our POL lavender Aruacanas, and £5 each for Ex-bats from BHWT they have never missed a day (except when moulting) and watching the bats go from oven ready  to lovely feathered birds was a real treat

That's why I get tehm too - gives them some life they have never had, and freedom from being in a one foor square mesh cage.  even if they only liev a few weeks its worth it, and mine usually last a lot longer than that!  I have a warren that rarely lays but my exbatts lay every day except when dark mornings and nights come along as I don't believe in forcing them to lay by providing artificial light.

[egglady]

looks great ellie - well done

[geebee]

Hi Ellied, have you decded what you are getting yet? and are you wanting eggs right away? I  have some  week old bantam chicks, cross between a gold laced and a chocolate partridge wyandottes.  6 boys & 4 girls (was 5 this morning but took my mum out for lunch as he birthday & came back to be greeted by my neighbour with a dead one - her dog had killed it as they'd got in her garden!)I was planning on keeping one or two of the girls. If you wanted a boy & girl, or trio I would let you have them at a nominal price  because I'd like to get the boys homes. I would put a photo on but don't know how to! but could e mail you a pic.  And they won't take up so much room in your coop! And if anyone else is interested let me know

[ellied]

I had decided on 2-3 ex batts and the same POLs from the local guy I mentioned at the start.. was waiting to get the house and run sorted, but then we missed the ex batt pickup last week so am swithering about just getting the POLs now to get going and introduce batts later if I can..

I'm not planning on having a boy around, with new neighbours imminent and no experience of chooks I think a few girls to get used to would be easier, tho your guys sound lovely and I'm grateful for the offer:)

Not sure if the original guy has any left mind, need to text him and find out - if not then start thinking again

[geebee]

I thought you were sorted but just thought I'd mention them. Enjoy when you get them, I could watch mine all day

[northfifeduckling]

ellie, you could also contact Pillars of Falkland, that is where we got our first hens from a few years ago and they didnt cost much at all as they were their old ones that didnt lay everyday - but laid often enough to satisy our family needs.

I think Bruce is currently charging £ 2 for his birds. Just let him know your interest and he'll tell you when he has any "spare". But didn't you have some trouble with Pillars birds, Laura? 

Your set-up looks great, Ellie, well done!

btw You could also ask Sue the cat lady if she has any young ones spare, sure she's give them to you at a good price   

[HappyHippy]

I really don't want to be negative (and maybe I'm completely wrong) but I was told that an overhanging tree into your chicken area provides a handy route in for Mr Fox 
I would love it if someone tells me that's not the case - cause I'm just about to move my chickens and it will save me from having to take a limb off one of my ash trees - although I might still do it, cos there'd be plenty of winter wood from it 
Hope you get your chooks in soon Ellie - be warned though, you definately won't get any work done, chickens are great to watch 
Karen x

[melodrama]

I have a tree overhanging into mine so would be interested to know as well, I haven't had any problems so far - even my cats haven't tried that piece of circus trapezery - YET x